Common Sense Note
Parents should know that the film pushes the limits of PG. It includes several sexual situations and allusions, including a reference to Viagra. There is some crude language and potty humor. The movie features frequent slapstick violence: various objects (balls, lamps, a badge, cars) slam into torsos, crotches, and faces, causing bruises (at least); a couple of explosions and two murders occur (one a needle to the neck, another by gunfire, off-screen); a secret agent spoof involves the violent defeat of several black-masked figures in a casino, etc. Clouseau mispronounces English words ("bowls" become "balls"). Characters drink liquor, in particular, a flaming drink.
Families can talk about Inspector Clouseau's comic ability to solve cases even though he seems dumb: How does the film make fun of "straight" detective movies with this character? Why does Clouseau inspire such jealousy and rage in his superior officer? They can also talk about slapstick humor and when it is funny or appropriate.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Cynthia Fuchs
Long delayed en route to theaters, this new version of THE PINK PANTHER is aptly colorful, though mostly lackluster. While Inspector Clouseau's (Steve Martin) faux French accent is occasionally funny in a way that recalls Peter Sellers' original incarnation, the character more often seems derived from Chaplin, with his puffy-squinchy face and pencily mustache. He also seems tired -- kind of like this mediocre movie.
It doesn't help that Clouseau is stuck inside Martin and Len Blum's uninspired script. Narrated by the inspector's competitive superior, Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) and initiated by the sensationally public soccer field murder of a celebrated coach (Jason Statham), the investigation takes a series of predictable turns, involving Clouseau's manic clumsiness and misplaced confidence. These antics tend to take their primary tolls on an assortment of supporting characters, especially Dreyfus (much abused), Clouseau's loyal and adorable secretary Nicole (Emily Mortimer), and his driver Ponton (Jean Reno).
Dreyfus assigns Clouseau to the case in hopes that he will fail, and leave the way open for the Chief Inspector to complete the investigation and thus win a French Medal of Honor. No surprise, Clouseau finds odd ways to baffle both the villains and the devious Dreyfus. He also becomes fixated on the dead coach's girlfriend, an "international pop star" named Xania. (She is played by Beyoncé Knowles, whose few bland minutes on screen hardly seem worth the co-starring credit: What is the point of casting her if only to cut away from her single song performance?) His infatuation involves ogling her body and following her to New York City, where his silly accent puzzles most everyone he meets, including a security guard at the airport, who mistakes him for a terrorist (craziness erupts).
For all its focus on Clouseau's goofy mannerisms (he's annoying and snobbish but also ridiculous, a vehicle to make fun of "zee Fwench"), the film just bumps along, a series of physical comedy bits and clobberings (a Tour de France biker, Dreyfus, and various suspects are repeatedly leveled by Clouseau's blithe clumsiness), punctuated by Martin's language mangling. Clive Owen makes a brief appearance in order to send up his lost shot at the James Bond franchise (here he plays 006, whom Clouseau calls "one short of zee beeg time"). And Jean Reno, bless him, gets the prize for infinite patience, as he sustains a certain serenity amid the frenzy.
Families who like this movie should see the original Blake Edwards version (1963). You might also like Steve Martin's remake of another movie, The Out-of-Towners (1999). Beyoncé's role is similar in Austin Powers in Goldmember (PG-13), though she has more to do and is considerably more charming in The Fighting Temptations.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentBrief kisses, some women's outfits are tight-fitting and show cleavage; the camera focuses on Beyoncé's hips as she walks away; Clouseau has his head in secretary's crotch as he helps her off a table. Viagra reference. |
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ViolenceShooting (off screen) and needle puncture cause deaths; frequent slapstick stunts, including blows to heads and crotches, leaving an assortment of bruises, cuts, and other injuries; electrodes attached to crotch leads to grimacing and smoking pants fly. |
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LanguageClouseau mispronounces "bowls" to sound like "balls" when asking a man if he can "hold" them. |
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Social BehaviorBlissful and seemingly willful ignorance wins the day. |
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CommercialismVisual references to Holiday Inn, TGI Fridays, McDonald's. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSome drinking in a casino (including an exotic, flaming drink). |
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